Graham Norton Show - Unfunny & Crap Guests

[Cyrilla]

I used to roar with laughter at this show, week in week out and really look forward to it as my Friday night viewing. He used to have a great combination of guests, who seemed to complement each other really well, and playing British and American humour off each other worked really well. But this last series or so, I give it a go and witihin two minutes I switch it off because it's so cringey and unfunny. What's happened...? It feels like he's scraping the barrel with his guests although he still has some big names. Last night just the intro with Tom Hanks (yawn) and Anthony Joshua was just cringe.

[Dulra]

I still enjoy it but do think some of the guests just don't work it can also get a bit repetitive with who he has on and i hate when he gets loads of actors from the same film it just becomes a big love in. I think he should cut back on the american big name no personality guests. Thers are some great british dramas on at the moment but never feature. I was disappointed he never had stars from peaky blinders or poldark on it.

[SheRaaarghPrincessOfPower]

I thought it was just me.

Lots of big names, with big personalities at the moment. The way Tom Hanks was talking over everyone last night was just rude.

First Aid Kit were great though.

[BewareOfDragons]

Last night's was dreadful. Disappointing.

He has too many 'repeats' that aren't great, easy going guests, too, lately.

[VeganIan]

I have thought this and assumed it was because the show was sold to BBC America so they can't have smaller UK stars on who are 'only' in a show that won't end up on BBC America. I record it, fast forward through the intro, and only watch until the music starts. I used to religiously watch him on C4, I don't think GN is the issue because he can really get going. It's the guests and the format.

[Cyrilla]

Veganlan - how sad is that if true. The reason it worked before is because of having baffled US guests on a UK show, baffled by the humour/swearing/sarcasm. Now it just sick pandering and fake laughing to US guests' silly stories. One I especially hate is bloody Will Smith. Not funny and just takes over the show while Graham pretends to laugh at his 'genius'. That makes sense now actually, thinking about it - US shows are all about whooping and being in awe of the big names - while the genius of his old style show was treating all the guests the same.

[Independentstateofeyebrows]

I like Graham Norton and I like the red chair but the same tedious slebs hauling the same tedious anecdotes round the self-promotion circuit makes for really boring telly. Sunday Brunch is my chat show of choice - the guests have to want to be there and have to work a bit harder for their right to plug their work.

[Timefortea99]

It is Graham's sycophantic laughing that makes me switch off. I didn't realise the BBC America slant. The guests have been dire. And agree totally with Will Smith.

[cluelessblogger]

@cyrilla agree. This last season has been (largely) disappointing. Used to get a bum show once in a blue moon but now it seems that getting a good show is rare.